Sheet-feeding machine.



V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

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SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7 1914- 1,14%573. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 7. 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APRJ, I914- Llfims Patented Aug. 10,1915.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7| 1914.

Patented Aug. 10,1915.

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SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR-7.1914.

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SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, IBM- 1,149,573. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 7. 1914.

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V. GARNER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7.1914,

1,149,573. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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warm $42 M Ring- COPY VERNON GARNER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T UNITED PRINTING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SHEET-FEEDING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed April 7, 1914. Serial No. 830,139.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VERNON GARNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the citv of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of l\lassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

Mv invention relates to sheet-feeding machines in which the successive sheets are separated from a bank or pile of sheets, and are then autonnitically carried forward and presented, one at a time, to a print1ng-press or other machine which is to operate on such sheets.

The objects of my invention are, among other things, chiefly to improve and simplify the various mechanisms required to properly separate and feed successive sheets in an accurate manner, without displacement or crumpling of the sheets. The various features of my invention will be hereinafter particularly referred to in describing those parts and their operation in my machine which relate to those distinctive features and will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the rear end of my machine, showing the drum and throat through which the bank of sheets is fed from upper feed table. Fig. .2 is a similar plan view of the front end of my machine showing the combing mechanism and actuating shafts, etc. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the view shown in Fig. 1, taken on the line a-a of Fig. i. Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of the rear end showing the means for operating the. drum, taken on the line bb of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 show sectional views of the throat and drum with pile of sheets in normal feed. Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 5 and 6, but show the paper crum pled, Fig. 8 showing also the curved throat guides retracted to smooth out thebank of sheets. Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of my machine with the detail mechanism omitted. Fig. 10 is a plan view of my clamping-and drag devices. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the drag. ig. 13 is a cross-sectional View of the drag. Fig. 14 shows a side elevation of the clamping device. Fig. 15 shows a side elevation of the drag device with pressure applied. Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 11, except the operating mechanism is in a different position. Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 15 with the pressure relieved from the drag. Fig. 18 is an enlarged side view of operating means for the pressure bar of the drag, taken on the line cc' in Fig. 9. Fig. 19 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 18,1ooking from the right, but with the drag proper omitted. Fig. 20 1s a view similar to Fig. 18 showing the pressure bar elevated. Fig. 21 is a side view of devices for controlling the bank feed mechanism, taken on the line (Z-0Z of Fig. 2. Fig. 22 is a side view, similar to Fig. 21, showing the bank feed mechanism locked and in operation. Fig. 23 is a plan view of the bank feed mechanism. Fig. 2% is a side view of the devices for controlling the bank feed mechanism at the end of the bank feed. Fig. 25 is a side view of my combing device with operating means therefor, taken on the line e-c' of Fig. 2. Fig. 26 is a side view similar to Fig. 25 with the combing wheel lifted from the sheets. Fig. 27 is a side view of the trip and combing wheel in operative position. Fig. 28 is a side view of the trip and also of combing wheel in inoperative position. Fig. 29 is a side view combining the devices shown in Figs. 25 and 27; and Fig. 30 is a side view of means for setting and resetting the trip finger, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 9, 1 is the upperloading board or feed table in my machine, which table may be supported in the frame 2 as shown in this figure; the upper feed belts 3 travel over pulleys 4 and 5, and. extend over the upper surface of the table 1, and around the drum 6 to gradually feed forward the bank of sheets resting on the upper table. 7 is the lower loading board or feed table attached to the frame 2, and 8 are the lower feed belts passing over the pulleys 9 and 10, journaled in the frame, said belts 8 extending over the upper surface of the table 7 to advance the bank of sheets to the combing devices. The drum 6 is secured to a shaft 11 and is rotatable thereon within the frame 2. 12 are a series of curved guides forming a curved throat in conjuncfrom one'another as shown in Fig. 1. Hol- "lowbrackets 15 and 16 are secured at either end of the rod 13, and similar hollow brackets 17 and 18 are likewise secured to the ends of the rod 14. The frame 2 has similar hollowbrackets 19, 20, 21 and 22 to coeperate with the brackets 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively, and pins 23 and 24 are contained within these series of brackets. Coil springs 25 and 26 are secured to the ends of the rod 13 and 14 respectively and also are affixed to the frame 2. These springs 25 and 26 are of .greater tension than the normal pressure brought to bear on the guides 12 by the forward movement and reversing of the bank of sheets, but in case of abnormal thickness of the bank of sheets, the springs would yield accordingly. It is obvious that such series of guides 12 may be pulled out laterally in the event of the bank of sheets becoming crumpled or jammed in the throat as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the sheets may then be smoothed out as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This improved form of construction enables me to provide a ready and efficient means of obtaining access to the reversing bank of sheets as they are passing from the upper table to the lower around the drum 6, and is very important in the efficient running of my feeder, for the bank of sheets may be adjusted without stopping the feeding. 27 are pressure rollers supported in the frame 2, and are located at the opening of the throat, in order not only to press the bank of sheets against the drum 6, but also direct them into the throat.

Referring to Fig. 4, the drum shaft 11 has secured to it the gear 28, which, through a series of pinions 29 and 30, connects with the gear 31, which carries a sprocket wheel 32 over which travels the sprocket chain 33. 34 are a series of pressure rollers supported in the frame 2 on the shaft 35 held in the slot 36, and serve to flatten out the bank of sheets as it passes from the curved throat, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to Figs. 21, 22, 23 and 24, the sprocket chain 33, heretofore described,.engages with the sprocket 37 toward the forward part ofthe machine which is carried on the shaft 38 which also has afiixed to it the pulleys 10 (Fig. 2) over which the lower feed belts 8 pass to advance the bank of sheets. 39 is a ratchet secured to the shaft 38 and coiiperates with the pawl 40 attached to the rock lever 41 loosely mounted on the shaft 38. The coil spring 42 secured to the lever 41 and the frame 2 (Fig.

23) serves to normally retract the lever 41 with the pawl 40 over the ratchet 39.. 43 is a link connecting the end of the lever 41 with the lower ends of a bell-crank lever 44 journaled on the stay shaft 45;.the upper end of the lever 44 carries the cam roller 46 adapted to' coiiperate with the cam 47 secured to the actuating cam shaft 48. 49 is a stop lug on the link 43; 50 is a latch lever pivoted on the bracket 51 at 52. The forward end 53 of the lever 50 is adapted to engage with the lug 49, as shown in Fig. 22, while the rear end 54 carries a cam roller 55 adapted to cofiperate with the cam 56 secured to the ratchet segment of the swinging arm 57. The arm 57 is rigidly secured to the rock tube 58 journaled about the rock shaft 59 and swings in unison with the combing wheel mechansim hereinafter to be described. The 'coil spring 60 normally holds the end 53 locked with the lug 49, as shown in Fig. 22, and the roller 46 in the bell-crank lever 44 will not fall into the drop of the cam 47, owing to the force of the spring 42. Therefore there is no lateral movement of the link 43 to advance the bank of sheets, and the lever 41 with the pawl 40 does not act on the ratchet 39 when the combing devices are short in their operation. However, when the combing time is long enou h so as to increase the swing of the arm 5 sufiicientlyto allow the cam 56 to engage with the roller 55, as shown in Fig. 21, the latch lever 50 is rocked on the pivot 52 releasing the link 43 from the lock of parts 49 and 53; therefore the cam roller 46 is allowed to follow the drop in the cam 47 on the actuating cam shaft 48. This permits the pawl 40 to dropback one or more teeth on the ratchet 39, and the sub sequent forward movement of the pawl 40' through the lever 41, link 43, bell-crank lever 44 and roller 46 on the cam 47, as shown in Fig. 24, rotates the shaft 38 with the sprocket 37 and pulleys 10 to advance the bank of sheets over the feed tables by the mechanism heretofore described. This construction enables me to advance the bank of sheets only when needed by the combing wheel, and such bank feed is controlled wholly by the length of the forward swing of the ratcheted arm 57 whether such swing is long enough to cause the roller 55 to mount and ride on the cam 56. This improved construction and operation results in the bank of sheets being advanced just before the combing wheels act, and the feed is only operative when the length of the comb exceeds a given amount.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 20 inclusive, I have here shown my combined pile drag and clamping devices constructed so as to retard and hold the'bank of sheets as it passes from beneath the drum 6 and advances along the table 7 on the belts 8 to be separated, sheet by sheet, and fed forward to the delivery devices. My improved pile drag devices exert a varying pressure upon the uppermost sheets, which pressure is regulated and controlled by the feeding of the sheets, and both pile drag and clamping devices are timed with relation to the combing wheel devices through cams secured on the actuating cam shaft 48 which will be well understood. The pile drag is devised to exert its pressure through its operating means just prior to the instant the combing wheels come into contact with the sheets and such pressure is continued for a period which is predetermined according to the drop of the cam secured to the shaft 48, which pressure, in the machine shown in the drawings, would be relieved after the combing wheels have had half of their movement forward; while the clamp descends on the bank of sheets ust prior to the forward movement of the top sheet through the with-- drawing devices, and such clamp is lifted just before the beginning of the action of the bank feed mechanism by the cam 47 as heretofore described. Therefore it is clear that both the clamp is raised, and the pressure of the drag is relieved, from the bank of sheets during the forward feed of the latter. The pile drag serves to tighten or compress the bank of sheets while the combing wheels act on the top sheets, whereas the clamp devices serve to hold rigidly in position all the sheets constituting the bank except the top sheet which is being forwarded by the withdrawing devices. The clamp is therefore lifted or raised while the bank feed mechanism is in operation which is before the combing rolls descend; then the combing rolls are lowered and act until lifted by the comber foot hereinafter described, but the clamp does not descend until after the cam mechanism for lifting the combing rolls and comber foot has acted to withdraw these devices from the bank of sheets.

The clamping device is located forward of the pile drag devices as shown in Figs. 9 and 10; side elevation views of this clamping device are shown in Figs. 14 and 16. The toothed shafts 61 are horizontally secured to the frame 9. as shown in Fig. 9 and carry the brackets 62 which have the regulating gear wheels 63 enmeshing with the teeth of the shafts 61 to advance or withdraw the clamping device laterally, according to the size of the sheets which are being run through the feeder. 64 is the clamp proper (Fig. 11) supported on the bracket 65 mounted on the shaft 66 and is held in proper position on the shaft 66 by the setscrew 67, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The outer ends of the shaft '66 are loosely journaled to brackets 68 in the arms 69 which are loosely mounted on the shaft 70 which holds the gear wheel 68. Secured to one end of the shaft 66, as shown in Figs. 14 and 16, is the upright finger 71, to which is pivoted the link 72 which, in turn, is pivotally secured to the arm 73 integral with the bracket 62 which supports the shaft 74. The arm 69 carries a depending bracket which supports a roller 75 adapted to cooperate with the upper surface of the bar 76, pivotally secured to the arm 77 journaled to the pin 78 in the frame 2 (Fig. 10), and also to the rock lever 79. This lever 79 is pivotally secured to the pin 80 secured in the frame, and is likewise pivot-ally secured to the link 81 at 82; the forward end of the link 81 is secured to the lower end of the bell'crank lever 83 journaled about the stay shaft 84, while the upper end of the lever 83 carries the cam roller 85 adapted to co operate with the cam 86 mounted on the actuating cam shaft 48. lVhen the cam 86 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. 14 and 16, a horizontal, combined with an upward and downward movement is imparted to the bar 76, which, in turn, through the roller 75 and arm 69, raises and lowers the clamp 64 from the bank of sheets as required, the timing of this movement being well understood by those skilled in this art. The pile drag device is likewise mounted on the shafts 61 and is located back of the clamping device just described, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Upon the shafts 61 are mounted the brackets 87 which sup port the horizontal shaft 88 which have the regulating gear wheels 89 enmeshing with the teeth of the shafts 61 to advance or withdraw the pile drag device laterally, as is desired. 90 is a rock lever loosely mounted on the tube 91 which contains within it the shaft 88, and carries the dog 92 pivoted to the lever 90 at 98. The spring 94 secured to the bracket 87 and the dog 92, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20, normally pulls the dog 92 downwardly as shown inFig. 18. 95 is a stop pin for the dog 92 the end of which pin 95 is adapted to engage with the button 96 carried on the bracket 87. 97 is a curved rod pivotally secured at 98 to the rock lever 99 aflixed to the tube 91. This rod 97' passes through the slot 100 so formed in the dog 92, that the rod passes freely through such slot when the lever 90 is hanging in its lower positions, such as is shown in Fig. 18, but when the lever 90 is lifted as in Fig. 20, the edges of this slot bite or jam on this rod 97, which biting pressure is increased by the tension of the spring 94, thereby lifting the rock lever 99. The outer end of the rock lever 99 is formed with a slot 101 which contains the horizontal pressure shaft 102 normally held in itslowest position by a coil spring 103 held in a pocket formed in the head of the lever 99, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20. This spring serves also to equalize the pressure should there be any unevenness in the thickness of the bank of sheets passing beneath my drag. 104 is the pile drag proper formed with a flat undersurface and always, rests on the top of the pile of sheets, and is guided by the pressure shaft 102 through the collar 105; the shaft 102 is vertically movable within the slot 106 formed in the drag 104. 107 is a stay shaft which supports the brackets 87. 108 is a coil spring around the tube 91 to exert the proper pressure through the levers 99 and shaft 102 upon the pile drag 104. The ends of the spring 108 are secured to the bracket 87 and the collar 109 secured to the tube 91.

The mechanisms for operating this pile drag device by exerting a pressure thereon and then relieving same from thepressure of the spring 108 is substantially similar to that shown and described with reference to the clamping device. The lower end of the lever 90 carries a roller 110 adapted to cooperate with the upper surface of the bar 111 as shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20. Referring to Figs. 15 and 17, the inner end of the bar 111 is pivotally secured to the arm 112 which is pivoted to the pin 113 affixed to the frame 2. The outer end of the bar 111 is secured by the pivot 114 to the upper end of the rock lever 115 pivotally secured to the frame at 116. The link 117 is secured to the rock lever 115 at 118 and its front end is pivotally secured to the lower end of the bell-crank lever 119 at 120. This bell-crank lever is journaled about the shaft 84, and its upper end carries the cam roller 121 adapted to engage with the cam 122 mounted on the cam shaft 48. As the cam 122 rotates in the direction of the arrow, a horizontal, combined with an upward and downward movement is imparted to the bar 111. WVhen the bar 111 is in its lowest position as shown in Fig. 18 the pressure bar 102 through the spring 108 is exertin its greatest normal pressure on the pile drag 104, the lever 99 also being in its lowest position. The dog 92 is also pulled downwardly by the spring 94 so that the tip of the stop-pin 95 contacts with the button 96. Under these circumstances the position of the slot 100 is such as to allow the curved rod 97 to pass freely through such slot, as shown in Fig. 18. But when the bar 111 lifts as shown in Fig. 20, the lever 90 swings upwardly and carries with it the dog 92 against the tension of the spring 94. This causes the edges of the slot 100 to jam or bite the rod 97,, and in consequence the continual lifting movement of the lever 90 forces the lever 99 upwardly against the tension of the spring 108, thereby relieving the pile drag 104 from the pressure of the shaft 102 through such spring, the only pressure on the bank of sheets being that caused by the inherent weight of the drag 104. It is obvious, therefore, that spring 108. The parts are so timed that the pressure through the shaft 102 is applied to the bank of sheets just before the combing wheel acts on the bank of sheets to separate and feed forward the top sheet in such bank, and is relieved during the feed of the bank.

Referring to Figs. 25 to 30, I have here shown my improved combing devices and means for lifting and lowering the comb wheel at the same time swinging same backward and forward in accordance with the requirements of feeding the sheets. Fig. 25 shows the comb wheel resting on the bank of sheets in operative position to feed forward the top sheet of the bank; Fig. 26 shows the wheel lifted upward and away from the bank of sheets in inoperative position. Figs. 25 and 26 also show my improved devices for' advancing and withdrawing the combing wheel laterally with respect to the bank of sheets. Fig. 2 shows that there are two combing mechanisms in my feeder which are operated simultaneously and therefore it is sufficient to describe only one combing wheel and its accompanying machanism in order to understand the construction and operation of the various parts comprising this feature in my improved feeder.

Referring to Figs. 27 and 28, 123 is a lever rigidly attached to the rock tube 58 loosely mounted on the rock shaft 59. This lever 123 has pivotally secured to its lower end at 124 (Fig. 28) the comber foot 125 adapted to rest on or to be raised slightly above the bank of sheets adjacent the combing wheel 126 when the latter is in operative contact with the sheets as shown in Fig. 27. The combin wheel 126 is journaled on the shaft 127 "w ich extends nearly half way across the feeder as shown in Fig. 2; the combing wheel 126 has secured to it a roller 128 adapted to ride on the upper surface of the comber foot 125 when the wheel 126 is retracted as shown in Fig. 28. The spring 128 attached to the lever 123 normally holds the comber foot 125 up in contact with the roller 128. 129 is a rock lever supporting the shaft 127 and is pivoted to the shaft 130 which has a forward and backward movement im arted to it by the rock lever 131 journaled to the rock shaft 59. 132 is a tieshaft connecting the inside and outside levers 129. 133 is a lug on the lever arm 57, and 134 is a similar in on the lever 131. The lug 133 carries a tfireaded bolt 135 to which one end of a coil spring 136 is secured while the other end of the spring is secured to the rock lever 131 by the pin 137. When the combing wheel 126 is thrown for- 

